About Most Holy Redeemer · San Francisco, California
Most Holy Redeemer Parish is an inclusive Roman Catholic parish at 100 Diamond Street in San Francisco's Castro / Eureka Valley neighborhood, where it has been a center of Catholic life since 1900. Today the parish is widely known for its outreach to the LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS, ministry that traces back to the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s under Fr. Tony McGuire, a longtime pastor who helped forge the parish's identity as a welcoming spiritual home. The church continues that mission today, offering Mass in English, the sacraments, and ministries for seniors, adults, and seekers — including the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process and a long-running, volunteer-driven AIDS Support Group founded in 1985.
- Established
- 1900
- Patron
- Jesus, the Most Holy Redeemer
- Rector
- Fr. Matt Link, C.PP.S.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
Most Holy Redeemer offers a distinctly welcoming Catholic home in the heart of the Castro, where Mass, the sacraments, and a deep tradition of pastoral care are offered to everyone — single, married, straight, gay, transgender, young, old, healthy, or sick. The parish's decades-old AIDS Support Group, its senior ministry (including drivers for medical appointments), Centering Prayer and Bible Study on Zoom, monthly Christian Healing Prayer, and an OCIA process for adults discerning the Catholic faith mean newcomers and longtime members alike are met with both spiritual depth and real practical help.
Mass times at Most Holy Redeemer
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM (or by appointment)
About Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Most Holy Redeemer Parish was established in November 1900 to serve the people of Eureka Valley, then largely an Irish, Italian, and German population. The church was first dedicated on Christmas Day 1901 and grew with the addition of a rectory, a school, and a convent. Today it is the Roman Catholic religious center of the Castro neighborhood, an inclusive Catholic community embracing all people of good faith regardless of background, gender, gender identity, race, social status, or sexual orientation. The parish's mission statement commits it to drawing people 'from isolation to community, from searching to awakening, from indifference to concern, from selfishness to meaningful service, from fear in the midst of adversity to faith and hope in God.'
History
MHR was established November 1900 and dedicated on Christmas Day 1901. As demographics shifted in the 1970s and 1980s, Archbishop John R. Quinn appointed Fr. Tony McGuire as pastor in 1983; McGuire's outreach to the gay community and the parish's response to AIDS shaped the parish's identity for decades. In 1985 the parish founded the MHR AIDS Support Group; in 1986 the convent became Coming Home Hospice (later a California Pacific cancer hospice). The Sisters of Charity, B.V.M. staffed the parish school from 1925 to 1979, after which the school was leased to Live Oak School and now houses Marin Preparatory Academy, a private K-8 school. In November 2004 the parish completed a self-study and Parish Assessment and Renewal (PAR) process coordinated by PEP Pastoral Consultants. On April 29, 2013, MHR dedicated a commemorative wall and fountain in the church garden honoring Fr. Tony McGuire and Sr. Cleta Herold, and in memory of Fr. Zachery Shore.
- 1900 — parish established
- 1901 — church dedicated on Christmas Day
- 1925–1979 — Sisters of Charity B.V.M. staff the parish school
- 1983 — Fr. Tony McGuire appointed pastor; Castro outreach begins
- 1985 — MHR AIDS Support Group founded
- 1986 — Convent converted to Coming Home Hospice
- 2004 — Parish Assessment and Renewal (PAR) process completed
- 2013 — Commemorative wall and fountain dedicated in the church garden
Staff & Pastoral Team
The current pastoral team is led by Fr. Matt Link, C.PP.S., a member of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Michael Poma serves as Parish/Business Manager, Cristy Torres as Administrative Assistant, and Grace Renaud as Director of Music. Pete Toms coordinates the MHR AIDS Support Group. Pastoral and Finance Councils, a Liturgy Committee, and a Music Ministry support parish life.
- Fr. Matt Link, C.PP.S. — Pastor
- Michael Poma — Parish Manager
- Cristy Torres — Administrative Assistant
- Grace Renaud — Director of Music
- Pete Toms — MHR AIDS Support Group Program Coordinator
Liturgy & Worship
Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM, with weekend Masses on Saturday at 5:00 PM (Vigil) and Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 6:30 PM. Holy Days are observed at 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM, and Thanksgiving Day Mass is offered at 10:00 AM. The 10:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed via the parish website and Facebook. Reconciliation is heard Saturdays 3:45–4:30 PM (or by appointment).
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry, under Director of Music Grace Renaud, supports the parish's liturgical life and the sung prayer of the assembly at MHR. The office can be reached at [email protected].
Sacraments
MHR prepares adults for the sacraments of initiation through the OCIA process (formerly RCIA), with Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Reconciliation is offered Saturdays 3:45–4:30 PM or by appointment. Mass Intentions may be scheduled by calling the parish office or emailing [email protected].
Faith Formation & Adult Education
MHR's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) sessions meet Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to about 8:15 PM in the rectory, beginning in September and concluding at the Easter Vigil of the following year. The journey covers spiritual formation and prayer, the sacraments and liturgy, Church teachings and doctrine, and Catholic Social Teaching. The parish also has an Adult Education program (currently on hiatus) that has hosted notable Catholic, ecumenical, and interfaith speakers.
- OCIA — Wednesday evenings 7:00–8:15 PM in the rectory (Sept–Easter Vigil)
- Adult Education — speakers and panel discussions on Catholic faith and other traditions (on hiatus)
Community Life & Prayer Groups
MHR's community life includes Centering Prayer (Monday evenings via Zoom), Bible Study on the upcoming Sunday readings (Tuesday evenings via Zoom), and a Christian Healing Prayer Group that meets on the first Monday of each month at 2:00 PM in the Library. Wednesday Night Suppers and a Coffee Hour after the 8:00 and 10:00 AM Sunday Masses provide fellowship.
- Centering Prayer — Mon 7:00 PM via Zoom
- Bible Study — Tue 7:00 PM via Zoom
- Christian Healing Prayer — first Mon 2:00 PM in the Library
- Wednesday Night Suppers
- Coffee Hour — after 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Sunday Masses
Outreach: MHR AIDS Support Group
Founded in 1985 as the parish's direct response to the AIDS epidemic, the MHR AIDS Support Group is an all-volunteer, parish-rooted organization that provides practical, emotional, and spiritual support to people living with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones, regardless of religious belief, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Two professionally facilitated support groups meet weekly: Positive Connections (a basic drop-in HIV/AIDS session) and Thriving in Mid-Life (an eight-week series for older clients). Over the years the group has served more than 2,700 clients and drawn over 200 volunteers annually, while receiving no government funding. The office in the parish is staffed Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Practical and emotional volunteer support
- Positive Connections — weekly drop-in
- Thriving in Mid-Life — 8-week support series
- Volunteer opportunities in client assistance, on-call help, and event support
- Contact: 415-863-6259 x10; [email protected]
Ministry to Seniors
MHR's Ministry to Seniors supports older parishioners and neighbors with practical care, including a driver volunteer program that takes seniors to and from medical appointments. To volunteer, contact Pete Toms at 415-612-0651.
Contact & Location
The parish office is at 100 Diamond Street, at the corner of 18th and Diamond Streets, in San Francisco's historic Castro neighborhood. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:30 PM–5:00 PM (closed daily 12:30–1:30 PM and on holidays and weekends). The parish is easily reached by Muni; the Muni subway's Castro station is the closest stop. Parking details are not published on the parish site.
- Address: 100 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
- Phone: 415-863-6259; Fax: 415-552-8786
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–12:30 PM / 1:30–5:00 PM
- Transit: Muni subway to Castro station
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Tony McGuire1983–
Appointed by Archbishop John R. Quinn in 1983; built the parish's outreach to the Castro's gay community and its AIDS response; honored in 2013 with a commemorative wall and fountain in the church garden.
- Fr. Zachery Shore
Former pastor; remembered in the 2013 dedication of the commemorative wall and fountain in the church garden.
- Fr. William Young
For many years resident at Most Holy Redeemer; one of the Bay Area priests qualified to celebrate the Tridentine (Latin) Mass, celebrated weekdays at MHR and Sundays at St. Vincent's Holy Rosary Chapel, Marinwood.
- Fr. Matt Link, C.PP.S.
Current pastor; member of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.).